General information

A death in the family can cause money problems for those who are left. This may only be for a short time, while you wait for the case to be released after probate, or you may need long-term help. 
 
This section is about social security benefits that can help you when someone dies. 
 
The government will be introducing a new system of bereavement benefits for men and women from 9 April 2001. those getting Widow’s Pension or Widowed Mother’s Allowance will continue to get them for as long as they satisfy the existing entitlement conditions.

Help for the bereaved

If you are widowed there are different kinds of benefits you can get. The benefit you get may depend on your age or the number of children you have living with you. The amount you can get is based on your husband’s or wife’s National Insurance (NI) contribution. Do not delay in making your claim or you may lose benefit. 
 
If you remarry
If you remarry or live with someone as husband and wife, you will not be able to go on getting bereavement benefits or widow’s benefits.

Bereavement payment

If your husband or wife died on or after 9 April 2001 you may get a bereavement payment. This is tax-free lump sum paid as soon as you are widowed if your husband or wife had paid enough NI contributions.

Bereavement allowance

You may be able to get Bereavement Allowance if you were aged 45 or over when your husband or wife died. 
 
If you are entitled to Bereavement Allowance, the amount you can get depends on your age when your husband or wife died and their National Insurance Contributions.
 
If you were aged 55 or over, you will get the full rate of Bereavement Allowance.  If you were under 55, you will get less than the full amount. 
 
Bereavement Allowance is payable from the date of bereavement for a maximum of 52 weeks. 
 
Women widow before 9 April 2001
These widows receive their widow’s Benefit entitlement on the arrangements that existed before that date.